Nippon Open!

TOKYO, JAPAN, December 11, 2006 -- After a 5 year absence, world-class Freeskiing competition is making a return to Japan. Suzuki presents the Nippon Freeskiing Open taking place at Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort, Niigata, Japan, from February 15 - 18, 2007. Japan's hottest up-and-comers will have a chance to challenge the world's best freeskiers like Simon Dumont, Tanner Hall, Sammy Carlson, Jon Olsson, Charles Gagnier, Sarah Burke, and Kaya Turski in Superpipe, Slopestyle, and Big Air. &quot;Japan is one of the world's biggest ski markets and I'm so happy to see a big event back over there,&quot; says Freeskiing Godfather and event consultant, Mike Douglas. &quot;The event organizers have hired the best possible people to ensure the success of the contest. Award winning park-builder, Steve Petrie, will be building the courses and cutting the Superpipe, and X Games Head Judge, Josh Loubek, is coordinating the judges for the event.&quot;Joetsu Kokusai, located just 80 minutes from Tokyo via bullet train, has hosted World Cup Snowboarding events in the past and is familiar with the logistics involved in hosting world-class freestyle competitions. The Big Air venue is particularly spectacular as it is located right at the base of the ski area in a massive natural amphitheater.The Nippon Freeskiing Open is sponsored by Suzuki, Salomon, and Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort. Events include Men's and Women's Superpipe, Men's and Women's Slopestyle, and Men's Big Air. Total prize purse is $60,000 usd. For more information please contact: nipponfreeskiingopen@hotmail.com

Here's a look at how the U.S. Revolution Tour, Mount St. Louis Moonstone FIS NorAm, Canadian Open Tour, Excelent Soldiers, European Freeski Open, SFR Freestyle Tour Halfpipe Finals and Freeski World Cup Corvatsch have affected the AFP World Tour Rankings.